PLANNING FOR A STAY IN NEW ZEALAND

Why do you use two names, Ōtautahi Christchurch? 

Ōtautahi is the te reo Māori (Māori language) name for Christchurch. You will see a lot of te reo Māori used across New Zealand. New Zealand has three national languages: te reo Māori, English, and New Zealand Sign Language. 

What will the weather be like during the conference?

Please visit the MetService website for current local weather forecasts and weather warnings. November weather in Christchurch is usually around 15-20 degrees Celsius (59-68F) during the day and 6-9 degrees Celsius (43-48F) overnight. Spring weather in New Zealand can be very changeable, so bring layers of clothing. We are an island nation, so the sea has a lot of effect on our weather, with fog and winds churning up from time to time. 

How long should I plan to stay in New Zealand? 

This is your personal preference. If you are travelling from far away, we recommend arriving at least a day in advance of the conference so you can adjust to the time zone. New Zealand is close to the International Date Line, so pay close attention to the dates on your travel arrangements. You will lose a day and gain a day if you are travelling from North or South America. There is much to see and experience in our small island nation. Some travel options are available on the ISSOTL25 website.  

What if I want to make a trip to Auckland while at the conference in Christchurch? 

We recommend setting aside time to travel the country while here. However, please recognize that Auckland and Wellington are on the North Island and Christchurch is on the South Island, so travel between these cities requires air travel or a long drive and a ferry ride. Also, if your arrival port is Auckland, you will need to fly to the South Island to Christchurch. 

Do I need travel insurance?

This is your personal choice. Travelling to New Zealand can be considered a long-haul flight unless you are just jumping across the Ditch from Australia. It is advised that you obtain adequate travel insurance for your trip. 

Emergency travel changes due to weather. 

Please contact your airline directly regarding your travel options. To advise us that you are arriving a day later than expected, please email issotl25@issotl.com. Please contact the hotel directly to advise them. Note that cancellation fees may apply for last-minute changes to conference registration and other reservations. 

VISA AND CUSTOMS 

Do I need a visa or a NZeTA to enter New Zealand? 

Click here to check if you need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) or a Visa. More information is available on the ISSOTL25 conference page here. 

What if I need a letter of invitation to acquire a visa? 

If you require a visa, you will need to request an invitation letter once your abstract has been accepted and/or your registration is paid. In the registration form, you can identify if you need an invitation letter. Or you can write to us at issotl25@issotl.com to request a letter. We will need evidence that your registration is paid for the letter to be sent. 

Arriving in New Zealand 

If you have a biometric passport (or electronic passport) and are over 12 years old, you may be able to use the New Zealand Customs eGate service upon arrival in New Zealand. This allows you to complete your Customs and Immigration checks faster, so you can get on with enjoying your visit to New Zealand. 

REGISTRATION 

How do I register for the conference? 

Please visit our ISSOTL25 web page for Registration links.  

How do I alter or cancel my registration? 

Contact us at issotl25@issotl.com, and we will sort you out. A cancellation fee will be applied if you cancel within 2 weeks of the conference. 

What is included in the virtual registration? 

All sessions taking place in the Auditorium will be recorded. This includes two keynote sessions, the Annual Meeting, the closing plenary, and nine concurrent paper/panel sessions. 

Can my partner attend? 

If your partner or guest would like to attend conference sessions, they will need to register for the portions of the conference they will be attending. You can purchase tickets for partners and guests to attend the conference dinner on Wednesday night. Tickets for these events can be purchased as part of your registration process. 

What forms of payment are accepted for the conference registration fees?

The preferred method of payment is a credit card. Upon request, we can also accept wire transfers. 

Is there a group discount for registration?

There are no group discounts. 

Can registrations be shared? If I cannot attend, can a colleague attend in my place? 

Registrations cannot be shared during the conference. You may reassign your registration to another person if you cannot attend.  

Does ISSOTL have conference registration support? 

ISSOTL sponsors an Emerging Scholars Fund for registered post-secondary students to apply for a conference fee waiver to attend ISSOTL25. Learn more at: https://issotl.com/issotl25/. 

Do I need to have a paper accepted to attend the conference?  

No, you can participate without being a presenter. The number of presentations is limited by space, but there are no limitations on attendance. The same registration costs apply. 

ACCOMMODATIONS 

How can I book hotels? 

We have a number of recommended hotels for your stay. You can find a list here and book directly. We recommend booking as soon as possible, as November is a busy time in Christchurch. New Zealand also hosts several holiday rental companies if you are looking for shared accommodation in a furnished home or apartment / flat. 

I need to change or cancel my accommodation booking for the conference. What do I do?

Please contact the hotel you made your booking with directly. 

VENUE AND TRANSPORT 

What is the venue address? 

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, 188 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch 

Is Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre accessible?  

Yes, all rooms are wheelchair accessible. Please refer to the venue’s accessibility guide for more information. 

Does the venue have hearing assistance available? 

Yes, Infrared Hearing Augmentation is available in all meeting rooms and the Auditorium, and hearing augmentation devices will be available at the Guest Services desk. 

Is there car parking at the venue? 

No, there is no car parking at the venue; however, there are a number of public car parking options close by. Please refer to the car parking map. 

TRANSPORTATION 

What are the public transport options? 

Christchurch is easy to navigate on foot, and there are several hotels within walking distance to the venue. If you wish to bus, you can find the Christchurch Bus Exchange on the corner of  Colombo and Lichfield Street. Buses come and go regularly with a variety of travel routes. See the bus network map to plan your journey.  

 A standard bus fare, if paying in cash, is NZ$4, but a much easier and cheaper way to get around is to use a MetroCard. Trips cost only NZ$2 with a MetroCard, and the initial outlay for the card is only NZ$5. MetroCards can be purchased online or from the bus exchange, or from several other locations around the city. Children under 5 travel free, and children aged 5 – 12 ride for free with a MetroCard. More information can be found here https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/travel-and-fares-info/ 

Is transport provided between the airport and the venue? 

No, delegates will need to make their way from the airport to the venue/accommodation. A taxi ride from the airport to the central city will generally take 15-20 minutes, and there are several taxi, shuttle, and car service companies serving the airport. You can find out more on the Christchurch Airport website. There are also regular public transport (bus) services from the airport to the city for only $4 cash: https://www.christchurchairport.co.nz/travellers/parking-and-transport/public-transport/  

Car Services and Rentals 

Car Rentals are available from the airport. Please note that we drive on the left side of the road and the drivers’ seat is on the right-hand side of the car in New Zealand.  Christchurch supports a number of car ride services using apps. 

ONSITE AT THE CONFERENCE 

How long is the ISSOTL25 conference? 

Please refer to the conference footprint for more information here. Nov 3 will be preconference workshops; the conference welcome will be on the morning of Nov 4; the conference closing will be at 1:00 PM on Nov 6. 

When is the registration and information desk open? 

Monday 3 November: 8 am – 5 pm
Tuesday 4 November: 7.30 am – 5.00 pm
Wednesday 5 November: 7.00 am – 5.00 pm  
Thursday 6 November: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm 

Where do I collect my name badge? 

A registration desk will be set up in the foyer of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre 

What is the dress code for the conference? 

ISSOTL conference attendees tend to wear business casual attire. Please dress in a manner you find comfortable. It is advisable to wear layers in Christchurch in November since the mornings and evenings will be cool and the day will be warm. 

How do I access the conference programme? 

ISSOTL25 will use Oxford Abstracts to generate the conference programme in digital form only. The Conference Programme will be made available prior to the conference. 

FOOD 

I have a dietary requirement. What should I do? 

When you register for the conference, please indicate your dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free and food allergies. For any requirements that are not covered by the selections available for all delegates, there will be a separate station where your meals will be available. The catering staff will be on hand to help direct you. Please note that individual food preferences cannot be accommodated

Food During the Conference

Please refer to the conference footprint for a list of meals included in the registration fee.  

Local Places to Eat

The conference venue is located in the central city with a large array of dining options close by, for varying budgets. We recommend trying out Riverside Market. 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVELING TO NEW ZEALAND  

Are credit cards and/or cash accepted in New Zealand?  

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across New Zealand and are sometimes preferred over cash in some retailers and restaurants. Cash is still legal tender, but is much less commonly used compared to other countries, and some businesses may be cashless. Apple Pay and other phone payment options are often also accepted. Cheques are no longer accepted for payment in New Zealand.  

Tipping   

Tipping is NOT common practice in New Zealand and is not expected in restaurants, hospitality venues, or at service retailers.   

Retail Taxes  

All taxes are included in the prices of retail items and restaurant menus. The price you see will be the price that you pay with no added extras. Tax refunds on items you purchased in New Zealand are only available when you purchase them from a duty-free store. 

Restaurant Service 

It is customary in New Zealand for restaurant patrons to go to the register / till to pay their bill after they have finished their meal. This is in contrast to countries where the bill is brought to the table for the customer to pay.